Understand where you stand. 27 nights of Taraweeh summaries.

22nd Night of Ramadan

Friday (According to North American local moonsighting 2012)

Structural Integrity of The Ummah

DRAFT VERSION

Tonight’s taraweeh consists of Juz 26. The Sûrahs covered are Al-Ahqâf (The Sandhills), Muhammad , Al-Fath (Victory), Al-Hujurât (The Apartments), Qâf and the first section of Al-Dhâriyât (The Winds that Scatter).

Surah Al-Ahqâf: The Ahqâf are the long and winding crooked tracts of sand-hills, like those in the country of the ‘Ad people, adjoining Hadhramut and Yaman. These people probably had a fertile irrigated country, but their sins brought on Allah’s Punishment. Allah has created everything “for just ends.” Allah’s truth is unchangeable; those who disbelieve in it will be severely punished on the Day of Judgement. Be kind to your parents for their sacrifices for you. In your old age pray for the well-being of your offspring. Allah places different people in different ranks only “according to their deeds.”

Sûrah Muhammad: This was revealed around the 1st year after Hijra when the possibility existed that the Pagan Makkans might wipe out the Muslims. This and the next two Sûrahs deal with external and internal relations when the Ummah was formed. “Those who reject Allah and obstruct (men) from the path of Allah – Allah will cause their deeds to go wrong and they will be destroyed.”But those who believe and do good… Allah will remove their ills from them and improve their condition”. Allah will guide those who fight for His cause. The hypocrites (like those in Madîna in Prophet Muhammad’s time) are fainthearted. They only pay lip-service to Islam. Serve Islam sincerely, otherwise “He will substitute in your place another people (who) will not be like you”

Sûrah Al-Fath: This Sûrah was revealed after the Treaty of Hudaibiya which was signed in 6 A.H. between the Muslims and the Makkan Pagans. Hudaibiya is a plain, a short day’s march to the north of Makka. Prophet Muhammad , together with about 1500 Muslims, wanted to perform the ‘Umra (lesser pilgrimage). The treaty that followed was a great moral, social and political victory for Islam. Victory comes from calmness of mind, faith, devotion, bravery and patience, as shown at Hudaibiya. Greed or faint-heartedness can never bring victory. The rewards for service cannot always be measured by immediate results, but show themselves in many ways if we are patient. Fight with strength, but be kind and gentle among yourselves. Such an act will cause Allah to love you.

Surah Al-Hujurât: This Sûrah was revealed in 9 A.H. when many deputations visited Madîna to offer their loyalty to Islam. Respect your Leader by not acting in a forwardly manner when in his presence. Likewise be humble in accepting the sunnah of your Prophet. Do not accept rumours without testing them. Make peace between 2 quarrelling parties among Believers “with justice”. Remember that “the Believers are a single Brotherhood”. Do not make wounding remarks, “Avoid suspicion as much (as possible)… do not spy on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs”. “Certainly the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you”. Being a believer does not mean paying lip-service, but by accepting Allah’s Will and striving in His cause. By accepting Islam you do not do others a favour; rather, you do yourselves a favour because it is a guidance for you.

Sûrah Qâf: We now come to a group of seven Makkan Sûras dealing with Allah’s revelation through nature, history and mouths of the Prophets, and pointing to the Hereafter. The disbelievers find it beyond their understanding that they will be raised up again after they have become dust. But they just have to look at His Creation, and conclude from it that Allah is capable of doing everything. As He gives (new) life to land that is dead so will He bring about our Resurrection. Every deed, word and thought is recorded by two angels. Death will open your eyes and make you see the Truth. The fruit of good deeds will be Paradise, while the fruit of evil will be Hell.

Sûrah Al-Dhâriyât: This Sûrah deals with the many ways in which Truth is successful at all times, even against heavy odds. The winds may be strong or gentle: blowing, scattering, lifting, rushing or dividing in all directions – but Allah’s Purpose remains one. Look at the signs around you, and you will see Allah’s Unity. On the Day of Judgement everything will become clear. Look at the history of past peoples who rejected Allah and learn lessons therefrom. Those who believe find profit in their lives. Evil will end in Punishment while Good will end in Joy and Satisfaction. If you do not heed Allah’s signs, the loss is your own.